KAMPONG POTONG PASIR (Assistance to farmers to combat pests)

Mr S. V. Lingam asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether he has received any requests from farmers of Kampong Potong Pasir and the surrounding areas for assistance to combat pests damaging their vegetables and what action has been taken in the matter.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Mr Ho Cheng Choon) (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, there was a serious outbreak of pest infestation in vegetable farms in Kampong Potong Pasir recently, The pest was identified as Diamond-Back moth. In early 1965 this species attacked vegetable farms in Changi and Punggol, but with the assistance rendered by the officers of the Primary Production Department, these farms soon became free from infestation. In March 1966 the Diamond-Back moth appeared in large numbers in and around Kampong Potong Pasir. Teams of Primary Production officers were immediately despatched to the scene to help combat the pest. They discovered that the farmers there had been indiscriminately spraying their vegetable crops with all types of insecticides which proved to be ineffective, because the pests had developed a resistance to such insecticides. The problem was further aggravated because the Potong Pasir farmers, owing to economic considerations, were unwilling to adopt crop rotation which is one reliable method of pest control and, in fact, has proved effective in combatting the same pests in Changi and Punggol.

On the advice of the Primary Production Department, many farmers in Potong Pasir have now agreed to adopt rotation of the crops. As a result, the extent of the damage caused by the insect has been considerably reduced. The Department has also recommended to farmers the use of the moth alluring lights trap at night to kill as many moths as possible. In addition, by carrying out extensive experiments and field trials, the Department has found an organo phosphorus insecticide sold under the trade name "Phospherin" which is effective against the Diamond-Back moth. Orders for this effective insecticide have been placed with overseas companies, and sufficient quantities are expected to arrive very shortly.

The Primary Production Department has also carried out film shows, lectures and discussions with farmers to acquaint them with the latest information and techniques in agricultural pest controls and eradication. The Department has also helped the affected farmers to obtain social welfare aid to overcome their temporary hardship.

The pest infestation at Kampong Potong Pasir, though not completely removed, has been minimised to a great extent. It is expected that with the massive use of the organo phosphorus insecticide after its arrival, the pests will be wiped out.